1982 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Registration No: PIJ 9711
Chassis No: 170W148712
MOT: Exempt

• Pleasingly presented in its factory Jet Black colour scheme
• Purchased by the serial restorer vendors at the start of the year as a stalled restoration project
• Extensive new panels, full repaint, and new stainless steel exhaust as part of the restoration
• Modest 110,600 recorded miles

Now in its eighth generation, the Golf GTI remains the hot hatch by which all rival products are judged. The inaugural version was made available to a delighted German public in June, 1976, and, while it wasn't until July, 1979, that right-hand drive versions landed on British shores, a special order of 22 left-hand drive examples were imported by Volkswagen the year before to whet the appetite of an already salivating British enthusiast fraternity still further. The ploy worked perfectly as the car's unique combination of handling, performance, packaging, and affordability was an instant hit. Suddenly, there was the perfect solution for the enthusiast who'd forsaken his sports car to transport a young family – the GTI was what you might call a 'having cake and eating it' car. Models have a habit of growing over the years and today's Polo is in fact larger than the original Golf, never mind the current generation of Golf itself, which is far bigger. So, although naturally not as quick as the current offering, the first generation GTI is actually more nimble and still great fun to drive – small wonder then that collectors have long since latched on to the good ones.

Fetchingly presented in its original colour of Jet Black, this GTI was supplied new to Northern Ireland but landed on the British mainland in 1989. The MOT record running back to 1992 hints that it was being well-maintained, and in 2000 the engine was stripped down and overhauled by Airspeed after 90,395 miles. The present mileage reading stands at 110,600 miles, so it has only covered 20,200 miles with the overhauled engine.

In 2006, the Golf was taken off the road so a comprehensive overhaul of the entire car could commence. However, the restoration was started but never completed until it was bought by the vendor in March this year. The vendor is a serial restorer with a nose for good projects and, having just finished the Golf in the last few weeks, is selling it so he can rescue more cars. New wings, sills, arches, and front and rear panels were bought by the vendor, along with a new windscreen, headlights and stainless-steel exhaust. There is documented evidence of almost £900 being spent on new parts and, thereafter, the wheels have been refurbished, with new tyres fitted, and the whole car has been resprayed. The interior is superb, with a later radio-CD player installed. Offered with a large history file including a large selection of previous invoices and the V5C.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452